Luminate CEO Colin Booth Responds to Spring Statement
Following the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Colin Booth, Chief Executive of Luminate Education Group, welcomed the recognition of rising NEET (not in education, employment or training) rates as a national challenge – but warned that without urgent investment in further education, the issue will only deepen.
Colin Booth, Chief Executive of Luminate Education Group, said:
“The Chancellor was right to emphasise growing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) as a barrier to economic growth and opportunity. Given projections for increased numbers of 16-18-year-olds in the coming years, urgent action is required to ensure NEET rates do not spiral out of control between now and 2030.
Ensuring there is capacity to provide education and training opportunities that lead into employment or further study represents a central mission for further education colleges and should represent a central pillar of the Government’s strategy to reduce NEET rates. Many colleges in areas with already above average NEET rates, such as Leeds, already operate at maximum capacity.
While the current funding environment is predictably tight, investment must be found to grow further education colleges’ student capacity if the Government is serious about reducing NEET rates. Alongside this, it’s critical investment is matched with adequate funding that reduces college teacher recruitment and retention difficulties, as without the staff to educate and train growing numbers of young people, the NEET rate will predictably only rise further.”
As numbers of young people increase nationally, Booth’s message is clear: colleges must be equipped with the space and staffing to deliver on their mission – helping every young person find a meaningful route into work or further learning.
Tags: Luminate Education Group, NEET